Welcome everyone to the latest edition of #4Downs where I look at the Cajuns performance game by game! This week, we look at their 27-3 win over Texas State.
1st Down: Offense Still Showing Cracks
The Cajuns may have won in convincing fashion, but it could have been a dominant performance over one of the worst teams in the Sun Belt in Texas State. Heading into this game, the Bobcats allowed 43 points a game, and had allowed 81 points against Sun Belt opponents like Georgia State and UL Monroe. The offensive performance on Saturday night was still good, but a far cry from the Cajuns 600 yards against South Alabama.
2nd Down: Speed Kills
The more the Cajuns play, it seems that the offense can’t wait to get off the field. There were some long drives in terms of number of plays, but the length of those drives is too fast with most of the scoring drives only lasting about three minutes. That’s nowhere near enough time for the defense to catch its breath and get back out on the field to try and stop Texas State. Their preference is no-huddle, but this isn’t basketball where a fastbreak is something that is preferred. Sometimes a long drive needs to be the plan to put a gap between yourself and the opponent.
3rd Down: Welcome Back Simeon Thomas
After being suspended indefinitely due to what coach Mark Hudspeth called “conduct unbecoming of a Ragin Cajun”, Simeon Thomas came back with a vengeance with four tackles and a pick. One of the biggest things that’s been missing from this team’s defense has been Thomas based off of their performances against teams like Tulane and New Mexico State.
4th Down: Another Week to Get Healthy
Personally, the Cajuns should be playing next Saturday, but the Cajuns will have another week off before hosting Idaho on November 5th. Then it’s a quick trip up to Statesboro for a Thursday night game against the Eagles from Georgia Southern. Having a few extra days off helps in one way because there are still some guys that are hurt and won’t be ready to go if this was next Saturday. But this also hurts the Cajuns with a shorter turnaround for a game against one of the premier teams in the Sun Belt. Most importantly, the Cajuns need to take this week off working on adjusting their gameplan to do what they did earlier in the year because their goal of a bowl game is right in front of them but the margin for error is slim.
-Clint Domingue